5 Amazing Parks and Green Spaces in Tokyo!
When you think of Tokyo, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Giant billboards and bright neon lights? A concrete jungle that stretches as far as the eye can see? Millions of people filling city streets, trains and stores?
These are all a part of what makes Tokyo a unique and amazing city, but the description is missing one key component: parks and green spaces. Tokyo has many beautiful places where you can go to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city to relax in nature for a while. The best part is that many of these parks and green spaces are right in the middle of the city, so you don't need to take an hour-long train ride out of town just to escape from city life.
So here are five of the best parks and green spaces in Tokyo that you can go to when you need to unwind, without having to leave Tokyo at all!
Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen is a vast park that has been around for centuries, though the current layout of the park was completed in 1906. The land used to belong to a "daimyo" (feudal lord), but later came to belong to the government. Today, it is one of the most famous and popular parks in Tokyo and is open to the public.
There is a small entry fee, but Shinjuku Gyoen is huge so there is a lot to see. The various gardens blend three different styles: Japanese, French, and English, and there are also historical sites you can check out. The park is beautiful throughout the year, with cherry blossoms in the spring and beautiful colored leaves in the fall.
To learn more, click here.
Happo-en
Located in Shirokaneda in Tokyo's Minato ward, Happo-en is a beautiful garden right in the middle of a largely upscale area where celebrities are known to live. Happo-en is a small garden of just over 8 acres where you can see 500-year-old bonsai trees and ponds with beautiful Koi fish. There are also two tea houses you can check out. The park is also open until 10:00 pm, so you can enjoy the garden's atmosphere at night as well.
Entry is free, making Happo-en a great place to come take a quiet, relaxing stroll when you need a break from city life. If you live in Japan and are planning on getting married, the garden can host ceremonies as well.
Learn more about Happo-en here. (Japanese only)
Chidorigafuchi Park
Chidorigafuchi Park (sometimes referred to as Hanzomon Park) in Tokyo's Chiyoda ward is close to the Imperial Palace and is known as one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Tokyo. However, this a great park to visit any time of year, even if the cherry blossoms are not blooming.
Though it is surrounded by office buildings, the natural atmosphere will make you forget all about the fact that you are right in the middle of Tokyo. This park is popular for runners as well as families who come to relax.
From March to November, you can rent a boat to row along the moat in the park. This is an especially great way to see and be surrounded by Chidorigafuchi Park's famous cherry blossoms.
The park is free to enter, and while you're there you can also check out the outside of the Imperial Palace. For more information, click here.
IVY PLACE
Located in Shinjuku, IVY PLACE is a beautiful, villa-esque complex surrounded by greenery that houses cafes, restaurants, and bars. It was designed to be a place you can go to when you want to escape to nature so that you'll be able to unwind and refresh your mind and body no matter the time of day. There are tons of restaurants and cafes in Tokyo, but not many of them let you enjoy a meal while being surrounded by beautiful greenery.
To learn more about IVY PLACE and check the menus of the different establishments inside, click here.
Kiyosumi Garden
Kiyosumi Garden, located in Koto ward, is a Japanese-style garden that was recognized and designated as a famous location in Tokyo in 1979. The whole garden is centered around a pond, which makes this garden a great spot to take photos where plants and buildings are reflected on the surface of the water.
Since Kiyosumi Garden is located close to rivers and the sea, you'll often see wild birds flying around the garden and perching in the trees. As you stroll through the garden, the sounds of nature will help you relax and feel at ease.
Kiyosumi Garden is conveniently located only about 5 minutes on foot from Kiyosumi Shirakawa Station, and you can also get there by bus from Akihabara. For more information about the garden, click here.
Escape the City and Relax!
Exploring a megacity like Tokyo is exhilarating, but after a while, it can be exhausting. Whether you are a tourist busily visiting as many sightseeing spots as possible or someone living in Tokyo and feeling drained by their commute, taking the time to go to one of these green spaces to recharge will do you a world of good.
These spots are all easily accessible by public transit and offer a variety of different kinds of nature experiences. Whether you take your date to one of these green spaces for a romantic stroll, buy convenience store bentos and have a picnic with your family, or go for a run on your own to clear your head, you'll feel more at ease after taking the time to enjoy the nature Tokyo has to offer.
